Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2012, is scheduled to speak in Baltimore on Thursday at the Maryland Republican Party's annual Red, White and Blue Dinner.

Ryan, who chairs the House Budget Committee, is seen as a leading candidate for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016.

The Red, White and Blue Dinner is the state party's largest fundraiser of the year. Previous speakers include Ryan’s 2012 running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney; House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Republican strategist Karl Rove.

“The Democrats in Maryland can learn a lesson or two from Congressman Ryan's leadership,” Diana Waterman, chairwoman of the Maryland Republican Party, said in a statement. “It will be refreshing to hear from a reformer who can help Maryland Republicans before the 2014 elections.”

Ryan already works closely with a Maryland Democrat: Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Montgomery County, the top Democrat on the budget committee. While deeply at odds over policy, they have spoken of each other with a mutual respect. So familiar is Van Hollen with Ryan that he helped Joe Biden prepare for their debate last fall by playing the Wisconsin Republican in practice sessions.